Creative Arts Facilities at Lancaster University
As a student within LICA, you will have access to a range of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to catalyse your studies.
Overview
The PhD in the Architecture programme at Lancaster University offers a unique opportunity to draw from a range of topics within Architecture and the wider build environment. We particularly welcome proposals for interdisciplinary PhD subjects aimed at combating current and future challenges. Our research at the School of Architecture is underpinned by three areas of concern:
- Future Practice
- Digital Crafts
- The Climate Crisis
Expert supervision
As a PhD student, you will normally be supervised by two experienced staff members, one of whom will be in the School of Architecture and will be an expert in your academic field. Frequently, a second supervisor will be selected from a different discipline, depending upon your chosen subject focus.
Your supervisory team is selected to give the best possible academic support for your topic and hence each supervisory team is as individual as you are. During the period of your doctoral studies, your supervisory team will be there to provide structured guidance, advice, support and encouragement through regular supervisory meetings.
Fascinating research topics
Previously the team in the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts, where Architecture is based, have supervised PhD projects on:
- the growth of spontaneous, informal settlements
- using tracking sensors to measure interaction dynamics in the workplace
- people’s cognition and experience of urban environments
- using eye-tracking to understand the effect of visual stimuli on how we move through cities
- the effect of the spatial layout of museums and galleries on memory and attention
- the use of a smart phone, game environment, to investigate the effect of landmarks in city design
Join a vibrant community
As a PhD student based in the Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA) and part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), you will be part of a multidisciplinary community of research students, able to participate in seminars, reading groups, conferences, and research training courses. We also offer opportunities to study for a certificate in higher education teaching.
Our School of Architecture has close links with ImaginationLancaster, an open and exploratory research lab that conducts applied and theoretical research into products, places and systems – using innovative strategies including disruptive design techniques that combine traditional and social science methods with practice-based methods arising from the arts.
Contact us
We encourage you to contact the PhD in Architecture programme coordinator Professor Richard Brook to discuss your ideas for PhD research.
Alternatively, for general enquiries, please get in touch with the LICA postgraduate coordinator.
Tea talks
We run regular events featuring talks and discussions with leading experts on the theme of Technology, Environment and Architecture (TEA talks!). Visit our TEA talks webpage to find out more and sign up for the next event.
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
Master’s Degree: Master’s degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline
Undergraduate Degree: 2:1 (Hons) degree (UK or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline
We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
Additional Requirements
As part of your application you will also need to provide
- A PhD Proposal form, which you can find on the Departmental website. You will need to upload your completed proposal form to your online application.
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Practice based Research applicants are also required to submit a portfolio
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Fees and funding
| Location | Full Time (per year) | Part Time (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Home | £4,786 | £2,393 |
| International | £21,082 | £10,541 |
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Additional costs
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
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Application fees and tuition fee deposits
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
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What is my fee status?
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
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Fees in subsequent years
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
| Scheme | Based on | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} | Amount {{item.amount}} |
We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
Professional accreditation
The Master of Architecture (Part 2) is fully accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
The Master of Architecture is a Candidate course for the RIBA. Candidate Status from the RIBA builds on ARB prescription of our Master of Architecture course, giving current and potential students confidence that the programme will not only provide a route to professional registration, but will give them an enriching educational and vocational experience.
Imagination Lancaster
ImaginationLancaster is an open and exploratory research lab that investigates emerging issues, technologies and practices to advance knowledge and develop solutions that contribute to the common good. We conduct applied and theoretical research into products, places and systems – using innovative strategies including disruptive design techniques that combine traditional and social science methods with practice-based methods arising from the arts.
ImaginationLancasterArchitecture at Lancaster
Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
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